Stop Second-Guessing Yourself: The Toddler Years

When it comes to raising a toddler, it's the unexpected that transforms calm, collected women into frazzled, fried moms. Check out this excerpt from blogger Jen Singer's new book for tips to make it through the toddler years

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You probably know by now that moms don't get sick days. I used to be very happy when I came down with something on a Friday night, because it meant that I would be able to get a break while my husband was home from work over the weekend. But if you've got no backup sitter and your toddler is home with you all day, you're in for an especially long day — or three. Here are some tricks for getting through your so-called sick day:

Postpone the videos. Save the most sedentary activities for the afternoon, when you're usually feeling your worst.

Don't stand. Don't do any activities that require you to stand for long periods of time, such as baking or cleaning, or they'll only make you more tired. Stick to reading to your toddler, holding indoor picnics, playing with toys in one place, and so on.

Be the base. Set up an activity where you are the home base, and, therefore, don't leave the couch or bed. Send your toddler on a treasure hunt for various items in the same room. The more difficult the item is to find, the longer you'll get to rest your head on the pillow and dream of decongestants and bedtime.

Make a fort. It'll keep everyone in one place so you don't get dizzy watching toddlers and their siblings. Read or make up stories or play with a quiet toy.

Movie time. After 10 hours of entertaining the kids with a box of tissues under your arm, you deserve to rest. Here are some particularly long videos to show your toddler. Yes, videos. They're just 90 minutes or so out of the 157,700 hours they get to be children: